The Refuge is a
multiplayer strategy game taking place during the zombie apocalypse. You
control a character and attempt to get to the Refuge for safety before any of
the others. You move steadily from zone to zone (some are safe, some not so
much) on an 9x8 checkerboard like area. You use cards to battle the zombies
opponents send your way and make special movements to get to the Refuge as
quickly as you can. But make sure you have a key to unlock the door!

The game is for
2-6 players. The rules are simple, and The Refuge, once you start playing more
and more games, has deeper strategy than you think. But as mainly a solo
player, I wanted to create a single-player experience because I don’t get to
play this game with others very often. So if you have this game, you’ll find a
solo variant below with automated zombie movement and choices to play with one
character or more than one. If you play this variant comment on your gameplay!

References to
the board: the first row is the line right above the start signs, and the
eighth row is the row right before the locks. Columns are one through eight,
left to right. Also, this solo variant does not use the Kickstarter Exclusive
cards.

OBJECTIVE

Get your
survivor (or all the survivors) to the refuge!

Initial setup, view 1

SETUP

1. Place your survivor on any of the START signs. Use more than one survivor if you want.

2. Place one zombie each in the 8th row on the skulls in columns 1 and 5.

3. Place one zombie each in the 5th row on the skulls in columns 3 and 8.

Initial setup, view 2

GAMEPLAY

You may choose one of the following on your turn:

1. Move one space (standard movement rules apply).

2. Draw a supply card. You can hold a maximum of 5 in your hand. Discard one if you decide to draw a sixth.

3. Discard from your hand (any number of cards).

4. Use a supply card.

Special Rules for Supply Cards

1. The steal card lets you draw another one immediately. Discard the steal card.

2. The Pocketwatch card allows you to halt a zombie spawn. Use anytime.

YOUR
MOVEMENT

Landing on a Safe square activates the zombie movement. That's because they are mad they can't get to you!

If you land on a Switch, you can use a Weapon card if
you have one in your hand. This allows you to kill a zombie that’s within 3
spaces of your location.

When you land on a Skull space, you spawn a zombie.
Place the new zombie in the first row on an empty Skull square, going left to
right. If none are open, move to the next row of Skulls, left to right. Then, any zombies within 3 spaces of
your location move.

ZOMBIE
MOVEMENT

Zombies always move towards you. If there are an equal
number of squares between the zombie and you, it’s your choice which way they
go. If you are playing more than one survivor, the zombies move towards the
survivor who turn it just was.

If a zombie lands on a Switch, it is added to the
zombie closest to the first row, going left to right. Yes, 2 zombies can occupy
a square!

A zombie can’t land on a Safe square. They must move
left or right or backwards.

DYING

At any point if your survivor dies (or any of them if
you’re playing more than one), spawn them back at the beginning and add 2
zombies per the zombie spawn rule above if you land on a Skull space.

WINNING

You win the game if you get your survivor to the
refuge. You must have a key in your hand to push through the lock. If you are
playing more than one survivor, you win if you get all of them through. But
only 3 if you’re playing with 4 survivors.